2013 NHL Mock Draft

Prospects writer Tyson Giuriato has taken a shot at his first NHL Mock Draft and Canucks.com has attained a copy to share with everyone:

1-Colorado AvalancheNathan MacKinnon, C (Halifax, QMJHL)

The Avalanche said they will take MacKinnon with the first overall pick if they keep it. MacKinnon lost his top spot in many draft rankings at the midway point of the season, however, a strong playoff and a dominant Memorial Cup bolstered the sniper back to the top.

2-Florida PanthersSeth Jones, D (Portland, WHL)

The Panthers will “settle” for the big, mobile defenseman that will anchor their defense corps for many years. With the likes of Erik Gudbranson, Alex Petrovic and Michael Matheson already in the system, the Panthers blue line should be set for many years.

3-Tampa Bay LightningJonathan Drouin, LW (Halifax, QMJHL)

Drouin, the best playmaker in the entire draft, has all-around offensive skills. The Drouin/Stamkos combination will be one of the game’s most terrifying one-two punches.

4-Nashville PredatorsAleksander Barkov, C (Tappara, SM-liiga)

Big, skilled playmaker with soft hands; broke Finish league records with 48 points as an 18-year-old.

5-Carolina HurricanesValery Nichushkin, RW (Chelyabinsk, KHL)

Six-foot-four, fast skilled and powerful; disappears at times; high risk/reward pick; could slip further down due his contract in the KHL.

6-Calgary FlamesSean Monahan, C (Ottawa, OHL)

The Flames have been looking for a top centreman for years, the search ends with this safe pick.

7-Edmonton OilersDarnell Nurse, D (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)

The Oilers are highly skilled up front; Nurse will add some stability and nastiness to their blue-line.

8-Buffalo SabresElias Lindholm, C (Brynas, SEL)

Creative, smart and highly-skilled playmaker; plays a flawless game; 30 points in 48 games last season in the Swedish Elite League.

9-New Jersey DevilsBo Horvat, C (London, OHL)

A Lou Lamoriello type of player; plays at both ends of the ice; scores dirty goals.

10-Dallas StarsCurtis Lazar, C/RW (Edmonton, WHL)

Tenacious player who could develop into a good power-forward in time; plays an all-around game.

11-Philadelphia FlyersRasmus Ristolainen, D (TPS, SM-liiga)

Captain of the Finnish U20 team at the World Juniors; mature body for his age; youngest defenseman to ever play in the Finnish Elite League.

12-Phoenix CoyotesHunter Shinkaruk, LW (Medicine Hat, WHL)

One of the most dynamic offensive threats in the draft; needs to add strength to his smallish frame.

13-Winnipeg JetsRyan Pulock, D (Brandon, WHL)

Jets take local boy with booming 100-mph shot; good puck-handler; may be the best PP QB in the draft.

14-Columbus Blue JacketsMax Domi, C/LW (London, OHL)

Short but powerful, like his father; dynamic skating and offensive skills; competitor.

15-New York IslandersAlexander Wennberg, C (Djurgarden, Allsvenskan)

Could develop into a good two-way forward with time; competes hard; stingy in the defensive zone.

16- Buffalo Sabres (from MIN)Josh Morrissey, D (Prince Albert, WHL)

Think Kevin Bieksa; not overly big, but plays with a chip on his shoulder and can produce offense.

17-Ottawa SenatorsNikita Zadorov, D (London, OHL)

6-foot-5, 220-pounds; size combined with his mobility makes him one of the hardest hitters in the draft.

18-Detroit Red WingsAnthony Mantha, RW (Val d’Or, QMJHL)

Led the QMJHL with 50 goals this season; good size, but needs to fill out; wicked wrist shot.

19-Columbus Blue Jackets (from NYR)Madison Bowey, D (Kelowna, WHL)

Strong, mobile, two-way defenseman; hits hard; key member of Canada’s U18 squad this spring. Developed at the Defenseman University that is the Kelowna Rockets.

20-San Jose Sharks Mirco Mueller, D (Everett, WHL)

Another two-way defenseman out of the WHL; good height (6’3”); needs to get stronger; great skater.

21-Toronto Maple LeafsIan McCoshen, D (Waterloo, USHL)

Big, rugged defenseman; committed to Boston College; could be a real sleeper pick.

22-Calgary Flames (from STL)Samuel Morin, D (Rimouski, QMJHL)

Big and nasty; elevated his game in the QMJHL playoffs; agile for his size; a bit of a project. Flames could also go with Fucale with this pick.

23-Washington CapitalsValentin Zykov, C (Baie-Comeau, QMJHL)

Powerful, explosive skater; pure sniper; Rookie of the Year in the QMJHL this season.

24-Vancouver CanucksRyan Hartman, RW (Plymouth, OHL)

Good vision and passing skills; tough; hits hard, works hard; blue-collar player that can produce points.

25-Montreal CanadiensFrederik Gauthier, C (Rimouski, QMHL)

Big (6’4”, 215lbs) two-way power forward; not overly mean; a bit of a project.

26-Anaheim DucksChris Bigras, D (Owen Sound, OHL)

Smart defenseman; not a bad aspect in his game; at the same time, not a great aspect in his game.